SUPERSPORT United coach Gavin Hunt says South African clubs are wasting their time playing in Confederation of African Football competitions unless CAF changes its player registration rules.
SUPERSPORT United coach Gavin Hunt says South African clubs are wasting their time playing in Confederation of African Football competitions unless CAF changes its player registration rules.
Hunt said he had only eight fit and CAF- registered players against Moroccan side FUS in their African Confederation Cup round of 16 first-leg tie at Atteridgeville's Lucas Moripe Stadium on July 17, due to the fact that he cannot register new players signed for the coming PSL season for CAF competitions in June.
Hunt fumed yesterday: "I get hammered in the media by the so-called experts because we do not do well in Africa. The reason is simple - our PSL season runs from August to May, in opposition to the CAF season, which runs from February to December.
"The bottom line is I can't replace players who have left with the new players. I have already lost nine players from the 25 players registered with CAF and who played in the Champions League this year. Also, I'm releasing more foreign players this month who I do not intend to retain."
Hunt stressed that if South African sides were to compete on an equal footing with the other African clubs, then CAF would have to change its rules and allow South African clubs special dispensation to register new players in December and June during the PSL transfer windows.
"Otherwise we are wasting our time.
"We have gone through two window periods (December and June) in the PSL where we have released and signed new players. The new players cannot be registered for CAF competitions due to CAF rules. It is an impossible situation."
But Hunt stressed he would not forfeit the tie. "If we choose not to play, CAF will ban us for five years. I do not want that.
"According to the rules we need seven players to take the field. At this stage I have eight and maybe by next Saturday night I might have nine or 10 players available and we will honour the game."
Hunt has already lost flying winger Daine Klate to Orlando Pirates, but has signed Botswana international Dipsy Selolwane from Ajax Cape Town. - Sapa
CAF rules hurting SA team s
SUPERSPORT United coach Gavin Hunt says South African clubs are wasting their time playing in Confederation of African Football competitions unless CAF changes its player registration rules.
SUPERSPORT United coach Gavin Hunt says South African clubs are wasting their time playing in Confederation of African Football competitions unless CAF changes its player registration rules.
Hunt said he had only eight fit and CAF- registered players against Moroccan side FUS in their African Confederation Cup round of 16 first-leg tie at Atteridgeville's Lucas Moripe Stadium on July 17, due to the fact that he cannot register new players signed for the coming PSL season for CAF competitions in June.
Hunt fumed yesterday: "I get hammered in the media by the so-called experts because we do not do well in Africa. The reason is simple - our PSL season runs from August to May, in opposition to the CAF season, which runs from February to December.
"The bottom line is I can't replace players who have left with the new players. I have already lost nine players from the 25 players registered with CAF and who played in the Champions League this year. Also, I'm releasing more foreign players this month who I do not intend to retain."
Hunt stressed that if South African sides were to compete on an equal footing with the other African clubs, then CAF would have to change its rules and allow South African clubs special dispensation to register new players in December and June during the PSL transfer windows.
"Otherwise we are wasting our time.
"We have gone through two window periods (December and June) in the PSL where we have released and signed new players. The new players cannot be registered for CAF competitions due to CAF rules. It is an impossible situation."
But Hunt stressed he would not forfeit the tie. "If we choose not to play, CAF will ban us for five years. I do not want that.
"According to the rules we need seven players to take the field. At this stage I have eight and maybe by next Saturday night I might have nine or 10 players available and we will honour the game."
Hunt has already lost flying winger Daine Klate to Orlando Pirates, but has signed Botswana international Dipsy Selolwane from Ajax Cape Town. - Sapa
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